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Cook County HRA sets 2026 legislative priorities: $10 million bonding push, housing trust fund and potential second‑home surcharge
Summary
The HRA discussed 2026 legislative strategy emphasizing bonding (a $10 million state request for the Gunflint Trail), potential local options to raise workforce housing revenue (including a proposal to study a surcharge on second‑home sales), and use of unspent SAHA funds locally.
At its Dec. 17 meeting the Housing and Redevelopment Authority discussed legislative and local funding strategies for 2026, with a priority on bonding for infrastructure and new ideas to generate housing revenue.
Staff encouraged a focused approach for the short legislative session (Feb. 17–May) and said Cook County is pursuing a $10 million state bonding request for the final 10 miles of the Gunflint Trail. Commissioners described meetings with lobbyists and with the Association of Minnesota Counties to coordinate advocacy at the state and federal levels.
Commissioners also discussed revenue ideas to support workforce housing. One commissioner proposed examining a surcharge on transactions that convert properties to non‑homestead (second homes), citing a recently passed Maine law as an example; the board discussed designing a targeted pilot so only counties with a high share of second homes would qualify. Staff recommended further work before advancing anything to legislators.
Funding already under HRA administration also came up: staff reported unspent SAHA (stabilization for rent) dollars established by the 2023 legislature and said there is "a couple hundred thousand" available that must be spent within a five‑year window. Staff noted some of these dollars are dedicated to rent stabilization programs at existing properties (Gunflint View, The Heights) but suggested the HRA could stand up additional programs early next year.
Other items discussed included coordinating local option sales‑tax conversations, retaining local revenue streams as some dedicated bond obligations wind down, and ensuring community engagement if allocation priorities change.
The board asked staff to bring more specific proposals to the January meeting, including options for a local housing trust fund and potential legislative language for pilot programs.
Ending: Commissioners charged staff to research the second‑home surcharge idea, refine bonding materials and return with recommended next steps in January.
